AncientFaces Your browser does not support JavaScript!
Please enable JavaScript to view the entire contents of this page.

Franklin Pangborn 1889 - 1958

Franklin Pangborn was born on January 23, 1889 at Newark, NJ, and died at age 69 years old on July 20, 1958 in CA. Franklin Pangborn was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial park in Glendale. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Franklin Pangborn.

Franklin Pangborn

January 23, 1889

Newark, NJ

July 20, 1958

Male

Looking for someone else

Franklin Pangborn Franklin Pangborn (1889 - 1958)

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM

This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Franklin.

Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.

Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...

Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Franklin Pangborn's History: 1889 - 1958

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.

- Discover how AncientFaces works.

01/23

1889

Birthday

January 23, 1889

Birthdate

Newark, NJ

Birthplace

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Military Service

During World War I, he served for 14 months with the 312th Infantry in Europe.
Professional Career

Franklin Pangborn (January 23, 1889 – July 20, 1958) was an American comedic character actor famous for playing small but memorable roles with comic flair. He appeared in many Preston Sturges movies. He also starred in the W. C. Fields films International House, The Bank Dick, and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break. Franklin Pangborn Born January 23, 1889 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Died July 20, 1958 (aged 69) Laguna Beach, California, U.S. Occupation Character Actor Years active 1910–1958 Franklin Pangborn (January 23, 1889 – July 20, 1958) was an American comedic character actor famous for playing small but memorable roles with comic flair. He appeared in many Preston Sturges movies and the W. C. Fields films International House, The Bank Dick, and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break. For his contributions to motion pictures, Pangborn received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1500 Vine Street posthumously on February 8, 1960. Early years Pangborn was born in Newark, New Jersey. During World War I, he served for 14 months with the 312th Infantry in Europe. Career An encounter with actress Mildred Holland when he was 17 led to Pangborn's first professional acting experience. He was working for an insurance company when she learned about his ambitions for acting and offered him an extra's position with her company at $12 per week, initially during his two weeks' vacation. That opportunity grew into four years' touring with Holland and her troupe. Following that, he acted in Jessie Bonstelle's stock company. In the early 1930s, Pangborn worked in short subjects for Mack Sennett, Hal Roach, Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and Pathé Exchange, almost always in support of the leading players. (For example, he played a befuddled photographer opposite "Spanky" McFarland in the Our Gang short subject Wild Poses.) He also appeared in scores of feature films in small roles, cameos, and recurring gags. Pangborn played essentially the same character: prissy, polite, elegant, highly energetic, often officious, fastidious, somewhat nervous, prone to becoming flustered but essentially upbeat, and with immediately recognizable high-speed, patter-type speech.[citation needed] He typically played an officious desk clerk in a hotel, a self-important musician, a fastidious headwaiter, or an enthusiastic birdwatcher, and was usually put in a situation where he was frustrated or flustered by the antics of other characters. Pangborn was an effective foil for many major comedians, including Fields, Harold Lloyd, Olsen and Johnson, and The Ritz Brothers. He appeared regularly in comedies, including several directed by Preston Sturges, and in some musicals of the 1940s.[citation needed] When movie roles became scarce, he worked in television, including The Red Skelton Show (in which he played a comical murderous bandit) and a This Is Your Life tribute to Mack Sennett, his old boss. Pangborn was briefly the announcer on Jack Paar's The Tonight Show in 1957, but was fired after the first few weeks for a lack of "spontaneous enthusiasm" and replaced by Hugh Downs. ( See Hugh's tribute) Pangborn's final public performance came as a supporting player in The Red Skelton Show episode for April 22, 1958.[4] Selected filmography All feature films are listed below. Many short films, however, are missing. The Jelly Fish (1926, Short) - Clarence, the Jelly Fish Exit Smiling (1926) - Cecil Lovelace (feature film debut) Finger Prints (1927) - The Bandoline Kid Getting Gertie's Garter (1927) - Algy Brooks High Hat (1927) - Minor Role The Night Bride (1927) - John Stockton Cradle Snatchers (1927) - Howard Drake The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary (1927) - Melville The Girl in the Pullman (1927) - Hector Brooks My Friend from India (1927) - William / Tommy Valentine A Blonde for a Night (1928) - Hector On Trial (1928) - Turnbull The Rush Hour (1928) - Troublemaker at Bohemia Cafe (uncredited) Lady of the Pavements (1929) - M'sieu Dubrey, Dance Master The Sap (1929) - Ed Mason Not So Dumb (1930) - Leach Cheer Up and Smile (1930) - Professor Her Man (1930) - Sport A Lady Surrenders (1930) - Lawton Sunny (1930) - Party Guest (uncredited) A Woman of Experience (1931) - Hans, a Sailor Over the Counter (1932, Short) Department Store Employee Stepping Sisters (1932) - Gason A Fool's Advice (1932) - Egbert, Hotel Clerk Midnight Patrol (1932) The Loud Mouth (1932, Short) - Freddie Quimby The Half-Naked Truth (1932) - Mr. Wellburton, Hotel Clerk Parachute Jumper (1933) - Man in Private Office (uncredited) Sweepings (1933) - Photographer (uncredited) Sing, Bing, Sing (1933, Short) - Herbert International House (1933) - Hotel Manager Professional Sweetheart (1933) - Herbert Childress Bed of Roses (1933) - Floorwalker The Important Witness (1933) - Groom Headline Shooter (1933) - Adolphus G. Crocker Menu (1933, Short) - John Xavier Omsk (uncredited) Wild Poses (1933, Little Rascals short) - Otto Phocus, the Portrait Photographer Only Yesterday (1933) - Tom (uncredited) Design for Living (1933) - Mr. Douglas, Theatrical Producer Flying Down to Rio (1933) - Hammerstein, the Hotel Manager (uncredited) Unknown Blonde (1934) - Male Co-Respondent Manhattan Love Song (1934) - Garrett Wetherby Strictly Dynamite (1934) - Mr. Bailey Many Happy Returns (1934) - Allen's Secretary Cockeyed Cavaliers (1934) - Town Crier (uncredited) King Kelly of the U.S.A. (1934) - J. Ashton Brockton Young and Beautiful (1934) - Radio Announcer That's Gratitude (1934) - Photographer Tomorrow's Youth (1934) - Thornton, the Tutor Imitation of Life (1934) - Mr. Carven (uncredited) Flirtation (1934) - Veterinarian College Rhythm (1934) - Peabody Eight Bells (1935) - Finch The Headline Woman (1935) - Hamilton She Married Her Boss (1935) - Window Dresser (uncredited) She Couldn't Take It (1935) - Spot's Secretary (uncredited) 1,000 Dollars a Minute (1935) - Reville Tango (1936) - Oscar the Photographer Don't Gamble with Love (1936) - Salesman Give Us This Night (1936) - Forcellini's Secretary Doughnuts and Society (1936) - Benson Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) - the Tailor (uncredited) To Mary - with Love (1936) - Guest My Man Godfrey (1936) - Guthrie (uncredited) Swing Banditry (1936, short) - Radio Station Employee (uncredited) In His Steps (1936) - (uncredited) The Luckiest Girl in the World (1936) - Cashier Hats Off (1936) - Mr. Churchill Three Smart Girls (1936) - Jeweler (uncredited) The Mandarin Mystery (1936) - Mellish High Hat (1937) - Renaldo Breton Dangerous Number (1937) - Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited) She's Dangerous (1937) - Renaud Rich Relations (1937) - Mr. Dwight They Wanted to Marry (1937) - Hotel Manager (uncredited) Swing High, Swing Low (1937) - Henri When Love Is Young (1937) - John Dorman We Have Our Moments (1937) - Joe the Bartender (uncredited) Step Lively, Jeeves! (1937) - Gaston A Star Is Born (1937) - Billy Moon (uncredited) Turn Off the Moon (1937) - Mr. Perkins Hotel Haywire (1937) - Fuller Brush Salesman (uncredited) Dangerous Holiday (1937) - Doffle She Had to Eat (1937) - Mr. Phoecian-Wylie Easy Living (1937) - Van Buren The Lady Escapes (1937) - Pierre It's All Yours (1937) - Schultz The Life of the Party (1937) - Beggs It Happened in Hollywood (1937) - Mr. Forsythe All Over Town (1937) - the Costumer Stage Door (1937) - Harcourt Living on Love (1937) - Ogilvie O. Oglethorpe I'll Take Romance (1937) - Kane's Secretary (uncredited) She Married an Artist (1937) - Paul Thrill of a Lifetime (1937) - Sam Williams Love on Toast (1937) - Finley Mad About Music (1938) - Hotel Manager (uncredited) Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) - Hamilton Montmarcy Bluebeard's Eighth Wife (1938) - Assistant Hotel Manager Joy of Living (1938) - Orchestra Leader Doctor Rhythm (1938) - Mr. Stenchfield (Store Clerk) Vivacious Lady (1938) - Apartment Manager Three Blind Mice (1938) - Clerk Always Goodbye (1938) - Bicycle Salesman Four's a Crowd (1938) - Preston Carefree (1938) - Roland Hunter Just Around the Corner (1938) - Waters The Girl Downstairs (1938) - Adolf Pumpfel Topper Takes a Trip (1938) - Hotel Manager Broadway Serenade (1939) - Gene 5th Ave Girl (1939) - Higgins Turnabout (1940) - Mr. Pingboom Public Deb No. 1 (1940) - Bartender Spring Parade (1940) - Wiedlemeyer The Villain Still Pursued Her (1940) - Bartender (uncredited) Hit Parade of 1941 (1940) - Carter Christmas in July (1940) - Don Hartman, Radio Announcer The Bank Dick (1940) - J. Pinkerton Snoopington Where Did You Get That Girl? (1941) - Digby A Girl, a Guy and a Gob (1941) - Pet Shop Owner The Flame of New Orleans (1941) - Bellows Bachelor Daddy (1941) - Williams, Club Manager Tillie the Toiler (1941) - Perry Tweedale Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941) - The Producer Weekend for Three (1941) - Number Seven Sullivan's Travels (1941) - Mr. Casalsis Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case (1941) - Charley Towne Call Out the Marines (1942) - Wilbur Obliging Young Lady (1942) - Prof. Gibney What's Cookin'? (1942) - Professor Bistell Moonlight Masquerade (1942) - Fairchild The Palm Beach Story (1942) - Manager Now, Voyager (1942) - Mr. Thompson George Washington Slept Here (1942) - Mr. Gibney Strictly in the Groove (1942) - Cathcart Reveille with Beverly (1943) - Vernon Lewis Two Weeks to Live (1943) - Mr. Pinkney Stage Door Canteen (1943) - Franklin Pangborn Honeymoon Lodge (1943) - Cathcart Holy Matrimony (1943) - Duncan Farll Crazy House (1943) - Hotel Clerk Never a Dull Moment (1943) - Sylvester My Best Gal (1944) - Mr. Porter The Great Moment (1944) - Dr. Heywood Allergic to Love (1944) - Stewart Ives III Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) - Reception Committee Chairman Reckless Age (1944) - Mr. Thurtle See My Lawyer (1945) - B.J. Wagonhorn The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945) - Radio Engineer / Sloan, House Detective Hollywood and Vine (1945) - Reggie Allen You Came Along (1945) - Hotel Clerk Tell It to a Star (1945) - Horace Lovelace The Sailor Takes a Wife (1945) - Salesman (uncredited) Lover Come Back (1946) - Hotel Clerk Two Guys from Milwaukee (1946) - Theatre Manager Calendar Girl (1947) - 'Dilly' Dillingsworth I'll Be Yours (1947) - Barber The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947) - Formfit Franklin Romance on the High Seas (1948) - Rio Hotel Clerk My Dream Is Yours (1949) - Sourpuss Manager Addio Mimí! (1949) - The Cat Lover Down Memory Lane (1949) - Mr. Sennett's Representative / Gilbert Sinclair Oh, Men! Oh, Women! (1957) - Steamship Clerk (uncredited) The Story of Mankind (1957) - Marquis de Varennes
07/20

1958

Death

July 20, 1958

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

CA
Death location

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Forest Lawn Memorial park in Glendale, CA
Burial location
Obituary

Franklin Pangborn Famous memorial Birth 23 Jan 1889 Newark, Essex County, New Jersey, USA Death 20 Jul 1958 (aged 69) Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California, USA Burial Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA Plot Great Mausoleum, Columbarium of Security Memorial ID 5006 · View Source Memorial Photos 5 Flowers 448 Actor. He was a character actor in such movies as the 1936 "My Man Godfrey." In his early years, worked in short subjects for Mack Sennett and Hal Roach. Later he worked for Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and Pathe, always in support of the leading players. His entire career consisted of playing secondary but memorable roles as a fussy, very polite, elegant and prissy person, often officious, fastidious, and somewhat nervous, prone to becoming flustered but essentially upbeat, and with an immediately recognizable high-speed patter-type speech pattern. He often appeared as a foil for major film comedians like W. C. Fields, Harold Lloyd, and the Ritz Brothers and played in over 200 films, including "Father Knows Best," "A Star Is Born," "My Man Godfrey," "The Bank Dick," and "Never Give A Sucker An Even Break" with W.C. Fields, and "Now Voyager," which starred Bette Davis. For his contributions to motion pictures, Franklin Pangborn has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1500 Vine Street. Bio by: Dan Family Members Parents Benjamin F. Pangborn 1867–1942 Harriet Edith Morris Pangborn 1870–1948 Siblings A. Gordon Pangborn 1896–1946 Flowers • 448 Plant Memorial Trees Left by Alan Humphrey on 23 Jan 2023 Left by Rudi Polt on 23 Jan 2023

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below

Join one other
who remembers Franklin

Select options below to share special moments.

Introduction Ethnicity & Family History Nationality & Locations Early Life & Education Baptism Religious Beliefs Personal Life & Family Add Memory Add Photo

Share what you remember.
Ask what you wish to know.
Connect to discover more.
Advertisement
Did you know?

Franklin Pangborn lived 5 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 69.

ADVERTISEMENT BY
Looking for more information?
share

Memories

below